Rose Garden

I

❥♡

Different.

That is how people choose to describe me as. Different.

Of course I would not blame them for thinking so. Half of my hair is dyed, my father let me get my septum pierced just to spite my mother. I am different because I spent my childhood stressing about my later life. I am what my parents call the perfect child. I am the child that always kept her room cleaned. I knew that when I was home from school I had to get my homework done. So every day, elementary through out high school, when school was out I would go home and do my school work. While kids were out drinking I was staying at home, curling up in my bed, either studying for a test or just reading a book.

"Oh my gosh Lila!" My mother says as we get out of our car. "It is so... Wow."

I look up at the collage, and then at everyone around me. I see moms and dads, walking their kids around campus. Kids who are dressed in UC Berkeley gear, with a smile on their face. And others are just walking around, like they have seen this all before.

"Yeah." I agree with my mother. Getting accepted to UC Berkeley, was in my mothers eyes, a disappointment. She wanted me to go to Stanford, and still does. But after all summer of me begging her to let me go, she finally let me. Of course, I was a little disappointed too. I have had a 4.0 GPA since seventh grade, all do to me hoping that I could get in to Standford. And because my mother expected me to have one.

"Are you sure you want to live in a dorm here?" My mother asks, looking at me through her sunglasses. "I mean, yeah it would be a drive from our house but it is free."

I know what she really means. She wants me away from all the collage kids, the people that could possibly hurt my grades and my study habits. Living in a dorm was a life dream. A start at living on my own terms. Me providing food, getting the clothes I need. Once I get out of collage I will need to find an apartment, and what is a better way for being prepared to live on your own, is than to start practicing?

"I am okay mother. Thank you." We had already filled out the information so I can live in a dorm this semester and I am not going to drop out this quickly because I am nervous or because my mother says so.

"Okay then, lets get your bags and then go find someone who can show us where you are staying." My mother says and I walk to the back of the car, open the door and pull out the three suit cases that I packed. I do not know when, but I know I will need to go back to my mothers house, and get a few more items.

I close the door, and ask for help from my mother. "Lila, maybe next time you should only pack what you can carry dear." My mother tells me, grabbing the handle of one of my suit cases.

I know she is right. Last night when I was packing I did not know what to pack. I did not know if some things will be provided for us, like pillow cases or a blanket.

I grab the other two handles and know that my mother has gotten the lightest one, which carries a pillow a blanket and a pillow case. My mother locks her car, not turning around and makes her way onto the side walk.

"Hello, this is my daughter Lila." My mother says, walking up to a blonde girl who is wearing khaki pants and a campus shirt. She looks to be in her thirties, holding a clip board. She must be a guide to help the kids who can not find their dorms, or whatever they are looking for. "And she was just wondering if she could have someone escort her to her dorm."

The lady with the clip board nods "Yep," she says before turning to her side. "Frank!" she yells. I look in her direction and I see an older man, who must be either a junior or a senior here. His forearm is on a brick wall, and he is talking to some girl. "I have a job for ya!"